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Surgery technician vs emergency medical technician

The differences between surgery technicians and emergency medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $39,743 average annual salary of an emergency medical technician.

The top three skills for a surgery technician include patients, patient care and surgical procedures. The most important skills for an emergency medical technician are patients, CPR, and EMS.

Surgery technician vs emergency medical technician overview

Surgery TechnicianEmergency Medical Technician
Yearly salary$41,646$39,743
Hourly rate$20.02$19.11
Growth rate20%7%
Number of jobs83,376137,617
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age3236
Years of experience12-

What does a surgery technician do?

A surgery technician plays a vital role in the success of medical surgeries. They are primarily in charge of performing essential support tasks such as sanitizing and preparing operating rooms, setting-up equipment, sterilizing instruments, and ensuring that supplies are accurate and adequate. They also prepare patients before surgeries, assist surgeons by handing out supplies or tools, and participate in transporting the patients from one room to another. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with nurses and surgeons, coordinating every step of the way.

What does an emergency medical technician do?

Emergency medical technicians or EMTs are skilled medical professionals who act as first responders to injured or sick patients. They apply first aid or do emergency medical procedures upon arriving at the area where the emergency happened. For serious or grave injuries, they do not have complete medical equipment at their disposal, so they have limited capacities on the field. Despite that, EMTs do their best to ensure that patients would reach the hospital for such high-risk cases. EMTs are expected to be calm under pressure and have extensive knowledge of first aid and of basic medical procedures.

Surgery technician vs emergency medical technician salary

Surgery technicians and emergency medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgery TechnicianEmergency Medical Technician
Average salary$41,646$39,743
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $26,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-New Brunswick, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Lewistown Hospital
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between surgery technician and emergency medical technician education

There are a few differences between a surgery technician and an emergency medical technician in terms of educational background:

Surgery TechnicianEmergency Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Technician
Most common collegeEmory University-

Surgery technician vs emergency medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between surgery technicians' and emergency medical technicians' demographics:

Surgery TechnicianEmergency Medical Technician
Average age3236
Gender ratioMale, 26.3% Female, 73.7%Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between surgery technician and emergency medical technician duties and responsibilities

Surgery technician example responsibilities.

  • Sterilized/packed surgical instruments, prepare large and small animal patients for surgery, assist with surgical procedures.
  • Use compassion when client's pets have passed away or need to be euthanize due to loss of quality of life.
  • Assist in positioning and supporting patients for regional anesthesia procedures such as spinal and epidurals.
  • Qualify to administer and monitor anesthesia, and assist in surgical procedures, including preparatory and post-op care.
  • Work closely with clients, other staff and Dr. Faulkner.

Emergency medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Provide medical emergency response, non-emergency transport services, event medical services, manage transportation services and paramedic and EMT training.
  • Demonstrate manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks relate to quality patient care.
  • Coordinate emergency transport of patients while providing treatment and triage in a variety of emergency situations.
  • File reports for patients, restock ambulance and supplies at base, have ACLS training, injection.
  • Handled/administered all types of ACLS medications to pediatric, adult and geriatric patients on a daily basis.
  • Assist nurse/physician with procedure such as suturing, lumbar puncture, catherization, casting/reduction, and application of restraints.
  • Show more

Surgery technician vs emergency medical technician skills

Common surgery technician skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 17%
  • Surgical Procedures, 11%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Infection Control, 3%
  • Surgical Instruments, 3%
Common emergency medical technician skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • CPR, 11%
  • EMS, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Life Support, 5%
  • EMT-B, 3%

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